Barry History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

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The name is originally of Norman origin, deriving from the old French word "barri," meaning "rampart;" though, it is also thought that a small number of bearers of this name come from the Gaelic names "ó Beargha," or "ó Báire."

Early Origins of the Barry family

The surname Barry was first found in Cork (Irish: Corcaigh) the ancient Kingdom of Deis Muin (Desmond), located on the southwest coast of Ireland in the province of Munster. "The Barrys were amongst the earliest Anglo-Norman settlers in Ireland, and have held large possessions in the county of Cork ever since the reign of Henry II. They had immense possessions, and their chief seat, Castle Lyons, vied in splendor with the most celebrated mansions in the South of Ireland. Their early residences at Barryscourt and Buttevant were also extensive and strong. " 1

Phillip de Barry (fl. 1183), was a warrior, the son of William de Barry, by Angharat, uterine sister of Robert Fitz-Stephen. "Having received from his uncle a grant of three cantreds in his own half of 'the kingdom of Cork,' viz. Olethan (north of Cork), afterwards 'Barrymore,' Muskerry Donegan (round Baltimore), and Killede, he came to Ireland at the end of February 1183, accompanied by his brother Gerald and their followers, to take possession and to assist his uncle Fitz-Stephen. " 2

"The Barrys of Ballyclough, spring from a second son of Barry of Lisnegar, and their present chief, James Barry, Esq., of Ballyclough, is the direct lineal representative of the Anglo- Norman Barry, who, with others, invaded Ireland in 1171. His property of Ballyclough, he inherits from his maternal ancestors, the Purdons." 1

Early History of the Barry family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Barry research. Another 115 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1179, 1490, 1535, 1550, 1591, 1603, 1605, 1617, 1627, 1641, 1642, 1659, 1672, 1692, 1703, 1713, 1715, 1717 and 1901 are included under the topic Early Barry History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Barry Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Barry, Barrie, Barre, de Barri, Barrey, Barree and many more.

Early Notables of the Barry family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Barry World Ranking

In the United States, the name Barry is the 771st most popular surname with an estimated 37,305 people with that name. 3 However, in Canada, the name Barry is ranked the 699th most popular surname with an estimated 7,553 people with that name. 4 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Barry is the 179th popular surname with an estimated 223 people with that name. 5 France ranks Barry as 2,221st with 2,877 people. 6 Australia ranks Barry as 260th with 13,298 people. 7 New Zealand ranks Barry as 461st with 1,498 people. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Barry as 556th with 11,688 people. 9


Barry migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barry Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Barry Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Barry Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Barry Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Barry migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Barry Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century
Barry Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Barry Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Barry migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Barry Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Barry migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Barry Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Barry migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 19
Barry Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Barry (post 1700) +


Suggested Readings for the name Barry +
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